Teen Librarian Monthly April 2009

The April edition of Teen Librarian Monthly is available here for download.

#Amazonfail

I noticed something odd on Twitter over the Easter weekend, a number of Twitterers (Tweeters?) I follow had added the hashtag #amazonfail to their tweets. On investigating I discovered that Amazon has been removing GLBT books from their sales rankings (Amazon’s Sales Ranks is a tool which shows how a good a book sells compared to other books).

This includes books for Young Adults concerning sexuality. If a person searches for one of these books by title or author, they will find it. However, that’s only so useful. Many people find books on a given subject by browsing the subject listings, not knowing what is available by title or author, or by seeing what books are most popular per sales: these derankings remove titles from those listings, no matter our book’s popularity or relevance in a given subject.

Amazon claims that this is a glitch that they are working to rectify.

For more information use the search terms ‘#amazonfail’ or ’amazonfail’ on Google or the search engine of your choice.

Classics Illustrated

On the 25th September 2008 the Classics Illustrated line of graphic novels were relaunched in the UK by Jeff Brooks of the Classic Comic Store. Originally launched in the 1940’s Classics Illustrated have not been published in the UK since 1970.

All the original artwork has been re-coloured with digitally enhanced covers and the series will be available in WH Smiths, Borders and other leading retailers throughout the UK. They will also be in stores in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Republic of Ireland. Published monthly, the first issues will be The War of the Worlds and Snow White followed by Oliver Twist and The Ugly Duckling in October.

These abridged texts are ideal to introduce reluctant readers to classic literature without putting them off due to the length or density of the original texts.

The books include a one-page biography of the authors as well as suggested themes and topics for post-reading discussion.

Each of the books ends with the text: Now that you have read the Classics Illustrated edition, don’t miss the added enjoyment of reading the original, obtainable at your school or public library.

War of the Worlds The man in the iron mask

Great Expectations

Classical Comics is releasing their second title by Charles Dickens – Great Expectations. As with most of their books it is available in two versions:

Original Text: The classic novel brought to life in full colour. The original text is set within a graphic novel format using as much of the text and dialogue as possible given the space allowed.

Quick Text: The full story in quick, modern English for a fast-paced read. This uses the same artwork as the Original Text version, but with fewer and simpler words to allow reluctant, younger and/or emerging readers to enjoy the book.

I am a fan of the books produced by Classical Comics, their graphic novels do not look out of place on the graphic novel display shelves in my library. The original and quick text versions are both incredibly popular with students, people looking to improve their level of English and people who generally enjoy graphic novels.

Oxford Scientific Films seeking Young British Campaigners

Oxford Scientific Films creators of Meerkat Manor and The Forbidden Fruit are looking for Teen Campaigners for a new TV series.

They have asked me to post this request:

CALLING ALL YOUNG BRITISH CAMPAIGNERS OR ACTIVISTS FOR A NEW TV SERIES

Do you spend all your time campaigning?

Have you ever been involved in a protest?

Are you doing something eye-catching to fight for a cause?

I’m looking for exceptional people who are actively campaigning and totally committed to the cause; this could be anything from environmental issues to animal rights, world poverty, human rights, or nuclear testing. I’m keen to find unique people who will be involved in lots of exciting actions this year. I would love to hear from anyone who thinks they fit this description.

My name is Anna Williams and I work for Oxford Scientific Films – a documentary production company in
London. You can reach me on email awilliams@oxfordscientificfilms.tv

If you are under 18, please make sure you obtain permission from your parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) prior to making contact.

YLG AGM @ Scholastic 19/03/2009

On Thursday I attended the Youth Library Group London AGM, which was a relatively quick affair with Karen Robinson taking the reins as YLG:London Chair for 2009/10.

Scholastic provided a room for the AGM and afterwards all members of YLG were invited to attend an incredibly enjoyable informal discussion (with wine and snacks) between Damian Kelleher and authors Rachel Ward, Josh Lacey, M.G. Harris and Sharon Dogar. They discussed their new and forthcoming books as well as what inspired their creation. We were also treated to a brief reading from each of the authors.

After the Q&A session the authors mingled with the Librarians and signed books and chatted about writing and Libraries until the end of the evening.

From teenlib

Rachel Ward + Numbers, Josh Lacey + Bearkeeper, MG Harris + Ice Shock, Sharon Dogar + Falling

Teen Librarian Monthly: March 2009

The March edition of TLM is available to download here

You can also get it delivered to your inbox on a monthly basis free of charge by subscribing – full details at the end of every TLM.

New online competition for young writers

247

247tales.com is a brand new online writing competition from Bloomsbury that challenges young writers to create stories using 247 words or less.

Each month a different Bloomsbury author will pen a 247tale on a certain theme. It is then over to the UK’s budding young writers aged between 8 and 16 to create their miniature masterpiece.

One winner will be chosen each month and they will have their 247tale featured on the website as well as winning a selection of books. Ten runners-up will get a signed copy of the latest book from that month’s featured author, as well as links to their stories which will appear in 247Library section of the website.

The competition launches at 2:47pm on World Book Day (Thursday 5th of March) with a 247tale from debut author Elen Caldecotton the theme of When I Grow Up Rules and details of how to enter are all on the site – www.247tales.com*

Other authors taking part include Kaye Umansky, Gemma Malley, Mark Walden, Chris Priestley and Iam Beck.

* The site will go live on the 5th March

Skim by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki

Winner of the 2008 Ignatz Award for Best Graphic Novel, and appearing on the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book List, Skim is being published by Walker Books in the UK.

Skim The story, told in the form of a diary and comic strip is seen from the perspective of Kimberly Keiko “Skim” Cameron, an aspiring Wiccan and goth who is coping with a broken arm and separated parents when the suicide of (a possibly gay) ex boyfriend of a classmate throws hers and everyones’ lives into turmoil.

Having to deal with a guidance counselor who is concerned about her state of mind (goths being prone to self-harm and suicide) and the antagonism of the girls in the Celebrate Life club; she also has to cope with the growing realisation that she is falling in love with her Englsih teacher Mrs Archer and the fact that her Wiccan circle also serves as a branch of the local AA.

Skim is a brilliantly told and illustrated coming of age tale that will appeal to young readers and adults alike. This book deals with a number of themes that are relevant to teenagers (including suicide, parental separation, youthful alienation, the journey to finding oneself, love and many others) the story is told in a way that is hilarious and heart-breaking in equal measure. Skim is a likable (if sarcastic) protagonist who draws you in and makes you feel what she is feeling and at the end leaves you wanting to know what happens next.

It has been described by Paul Gravett as one of the best comics of 2008 and is truly deserving of that accolade!

Skim is due out in May and is highly recommended for all Graphic Novel collections!

Librarians without Borders

A message from Josie Crimp who is volunteering as a Librarian in Mexico:

Dear all,

I’d like to let you know about a volunteering opportunity for a librarian in Mexico. NPH International run children’s homes in 7 different Latin American countries. They take on children who have either been neglected or abandoned, and give them a permanent home.

I have spent the last 6 months volunteering as the librarian at the NPH home in Mexico, and have 6 months more here. I am hoping that when I leave at the end of June there will be another volunteer ready to take over from me and develop the library further. So I’ve decided to start advertising for the position now!

The position is for a minimum of a year, but all your living expenses are paid for – albeit at a basic level, so it’s an amazing opportunity to travel without a massive commitment to your pocket.

I’ve found my experience here an immense challenge – living with 600 children, learning to speak Spanish from scratch, living on orphanage food – but I’ve never once had any regrets about coming here, and I feel I’ve developed immensely in the 6 months I’ve been here.

If you’re intererested in applying, more information about the charity can be found on the website – www.nph.org – and you can apply online by clicking on ‘Volunteers’ and then ‘Applications’ (Select United States on the list of countries) .

It’s worth noting that whilst Spanish knowledge is useful, I arrived having been learning it for only 3 months, and survived. A qualification in librarianship isn’t a requisite, but I think my training, and my experiences in english public libraries helped me massively with my work. And, obviously, don’t apply unless you like working with children!

Please take a moment to think about it – if you want your life to change this year, this is a surefire way of doing so!

Many thanks,

Josie Crimp