Search

The article offers information on the evolution of virtual author school visits in the ongoing crisis of COVID-19 pandemic. It mentions that author Kate Messner had been on tour for her middle grade novel "Chirp" and saw her slate of spring visits canceled or switched to a virtual format. It also mentions that Jarrett J. Krosoczka reformed his professional routine and fine-tuning a new approach to school visits.

The article offers information on role of educators to address racism and social justice with students. Topics discussed include suggestion to check emotional well-being of African American students and offer positivity; information on Project Ready, a collaborative and free diversity and equity professional development curriculum to create action plans and to be advocates for social change; and need to focus on LGBTQ issues.

The article offers information on successes and challenges faced by school librarians in the U.S. during COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include concern about health and safety issues regarding if or when students will return to the classroom or library amid pandemic; role of Pennsylvania State Education Association, to pass HB 13 55 and SB 7 52, which would ensure equitable library services for Pennsylvania's K-12 students; and focus to build better political literacy skills for library leaders.

The article examines how publishers and education companies are providing resources for educators, students, and families doing schoolwork at home during the Covid-19 pandemic. It mentions that Britten Follett, executive vice president of Follett School Solutions, has worked with its publisher partners to expand its collection of free and discounted e-books; and mentions that Mackin VIA platform by Mackin Educational Resources allows students and educators to access e-books and audiobooks.

The article focuses on the changes in the role of school librarians during the Covid-19 pandemic. It mentions that Craig Seasholes, teacher librarian at Dearborn Park International Elementary School, has been hosting two weekly Book Chat sessions during which he invites students and staff to share what they have been reading via "60-second lightning book talks." It also mentions that American Association of School Librarians has been staying in touch with its membership through surveys.

The article discusses plans of educational companies and publishers of providing digital resources for educators and families to handle the Covid-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include views of Britten Follett, executive vice-president (EVP) of software company Follett School Solutions, on Destiny library management system, the Follett eLearning Resource page and launch of Distance Learning Essentials web page by Mackin Educational Resources.

An interview with Matthew King, Jhenelle Robinson and Bianca Spurlock, members of the American Association of School Librarians (ASSL). Topics discussed include pulling books for Black History Month and books for Women's History Month; introducing a toolkit for librarians; and focusing on Equity Diversity and Inclusion.

The article informs on the American Association of School Librarians' 19th National Conference that was held in November 14 to 16 in Louisville, Kentucky. Topics include slate of educational programming keenly focused on the organization's National School Library Standards; critical need in school libraries for children's books and materials; and role played by microaggressions in affecting students' behavior and academic achievement.

Sarah Barley, editorial director of young adult publishing at Flatiron Books, was sold on the project immediately. Though its use isn't universal, most in the book business will recognize it as a label that some librarians, educators, and publishers are using to indicate YA books considered more suitable for younger or more sensitive readers because they are lighter on sexual or violent content and typically do not contain profanity. Books receive numerical ratings in each of four areas - language, romance/sensuality, violence, and drugs/alcohol/ smoking - and the combined score is used as the basis for designating a book as suitable for 12 and up, for 13 and up, or "for the mature young adult audience." Friedman is among those who would like to acquire more such books, as "there is definitely an appetite in the market, and certainly Scholastic's book clubs and book fairs see success with these types of books", she says. [Extracted from the article]

"Teachers and librarians continue to be key influencers and an integral piece of getting books into the hands of middle grade readers", says Emily Romero, senior v-p of marketing at Penguin Young Readers. Fostering these important relationships has long been the work of a publishing company's school and library marketing department, or, at smaller publishers, perhaps a staff member who wears both trade and school-and-library marketing hats. The school or library author visit, a tried-and-true tack, provides an opportunity to reach educators and readers at the same time and remains king of the middle grade marketing hill. "We send authors to schools to meet with classrooms and do book club groups - by providing ARCs in advance - and then host evening dinners for authors to get to know teachers and educators in that community". [Extracted from the article]

The article features teachers and librarians in the U.S. and their ideas on being advocates for school librarians. Topics include the greatest way to be an advocate for school librarians according to Stephanie Ham, director of library services at Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tennessee; things that Cathi Fuhrman, library department supervisor of Hempfield School District do to advocate for their library department; and how Amanda Kuznia advocates for teachers in her district.

The article discusses the advocacy pressure facing school librarians, as of August 2019. Topics include comments from Mary Keeling, library services supervisor for Newport News (Virginia) Public Schools, on the librarians' jobs; the reason for the need for advocacy of librarians according to Suzanna Panter, program manager at Tacoma Public Schools; and mission of nonprofit EveryLibrary's Save School Librarians initiative to generate grassroots school library advocacy in the legislative arena.

The article focuses on GiveLearningaShot campaign by First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise devoted to education equity, providing accessible information about the COVID-19 vaccines. It mentions views of Becki Last, chief programmatic officer at First Book on it. It also mentions campaign addressed rumors and misinformation about the vaccine.

The article presents updates on the activities of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) during the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in June 2019. Topics include the selection of Kathy Carroll of the Westwood High School Library Information Center in Columbia, South Carolina, as the 2020-2021 AASL president-elect, winners of AASL's 2019 awards and grants to be recognized during the AASL Awards Ceremony on June 27, and the AASL's Social Media Superstars program.

The article explores the growth of the middle grade category of books. According to NPD Scan, seven of the 10 best-selling books in 2018 were middle grade titles, led by "The Meltdown." Areas within the middle grade category in which publishing activity has notably increased include heavily illustrated middle grade books and titles featuring characters who demonstrate neurodiversity and physical differences.

An interview with librarian and author Nicholas Provenzano is presented. Provenzano talks about the terminology he sees when talking about making in schools, some of his favorite tools and approaches when it comes to making, and insights on making that he would like to share. He also mentions how making becomes a part of his profession everyday.

The article discusses the rise of maker-focused education in classrooms and libraries, as of December 2018. Topics discussed include the growth of the maker movement for more than a decade, the establishment of the Maker Education Initiative in 2012 by Dale Doughier, and the focus on STEM education as one of the drivers of maker education growth.

The article describes the strategies used by children's book publishers to market and promote books that encompass social and emotional learning (SEL) themes. The strategies include author appearances and promotional giveaways at library and educator conferences, advertising in teacher- and librarian-centric journals and creating physical kits of marketing materials. The SEL-related offerings of Macmillan include "Wishtree," by Katherine Applegate, and "Be Kind," by Pat Zietlow Miller.

The article explores the role of school librarians, teachers and other school-related professionals in helping students cope during times of distress through social and emotional learning. It discusses the implementation of crisis or emergency management plans by U.S. school districts. It also describes the work of the Crisis Aftercare Response Event team created by Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee.

The article informs that Fierce Reads, the brand umbrella launched in 2012 under which Macmillan Children's Publishing Group hosts its YA online community and twice-yearly group author tours, has kicked off its latest season with an all-virtual lineup. It mentions that digital fall programming consisted of four events that featured a total of 16 authors across a variety of genres. Writers taking part included Zoraida Córdova, Mike Curato, Sara Faring, Cindy Otis, and Aminah Mae Safi.

The article offers information on role of schools and educators to provide social and emotional learning (SEL) to students amid COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include impact on emotional intelligence from anxiety due to racial injustice; aim to build community, empathy, compassion, and an avenue that allows for student agency, voice, and expression; and information RULER approach training amid distance-learning.

In this article, Barbara DiLorenzo, an author-illustrator offers her take on school safety. It mentions that how author never planned to create a book about the fear a child might feel during a lockdown drill at school. It discusses that author's anxiety following a school lockdown drill by spending quiet time outdoors making nature art with her grandfather.

The article focuses on the use of Skype by educators in the classroom. It mentions that educators can find a range of curated learning experiences on Skype in the Classroom provided by organizational content partners that include museums, zoos, scientists, and national parks. It also mentions that authors and publishers play a big role as guest speakers and content providers on Skype in the classroom.

The article recommends several American Association of School Librarians' (AASL's) websites and application software (apps) for teaching and learning including Green Screen by Do Ink, Mixerpiece, and Nearpod.

The article focuses on the work by Suzanna Panter, library program manager at Tacoma Public Schools in Washington, on developing a series of videos that showcase the school library program. Topics discussed include her work with her team on the "Guiding Values and Principles for TPS Libraries" during her first school year on the job, how Panter created the video content, and impact of the videos on parents and on students.

The article reports on the launch of Follett Book eFairs, an online expansion of the company's successful Follett Book Fairs business. Topics discussed include remarks from Britten Follett, senior vice president of marketing strategy and classroom solutions at Follett School Solutions, about the eFairs; how teachers can customize eFair book selections; and the fund-raising aspect of the eFair.

The article discusses the partnership between educational materials provider Follett and nonprofit organization EveryLibrary to support school libraries and librarians. The initial advocacy effort included the launch of the activist website Save School Librarians and preparation for action plans in six U.S. states. John Chrastka, executive director of EveryLibrary provided a report on the advocacy work by EveryLibrary.