Literature Resources from Professional Development Event - February 18, 2008

Here are some links to excellent resources for finding great books to read and to share!

American Library Association (ALA): This is a wonderful starting point; you may want to spend some time just browing this comprehensive site. This is where the award books first get posted during the ALA Midwinter Meeting each mid-January.

Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC): A subdivision of ALA, this resource has many wonderful lists, including 2008 Notable Books and Recommended Book Lists.

Parent's Choice Award : A foundation focusing on non-commercial recommendations.

Independent Booksellers: Excellent annonations, specialty lists, and Book Sense newsletter.

Michigan Center for the Book : State literature resources, including "Reading Grand Rapids" list, "One Book" programs, and Michigan Notable Books.

International Reading Association: Lesson plans, calendar of special days, book discussions.

School Library Journal : The definitive review source, plus lots of articles on current topics.

Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice (PNLA): Ballots for students to vote for favorite books, discussion guides, ready-to-print bookmarks, and more!

National Public Radio : In-depth interviews, podcasts, and timely coverage of recent titles.

What Do I Read Next? : A fantastic source for finding similar books, titles by subject, character, setting, and a number of other fields. To access:
1. Log onto mel.org (Michigan Electronic Library)
2. By the photo of the person with a laptop, click on "See Databases from Library." If you are at home, select the first option ("See Databases From Home") and enter your driver's license number into the secure log in when prompted. You can also just enter a letter followed by 12 numbers.
3. Scroll down to What Do I Read Next?

Publishers are a relatively unknown source of author biographies, discussion guides, related materials, and even contests. Here are a couple of examples:

Random House
Farrar Strauss Giroux

Finally, many authors have creative, interactive personal Web sites! Here are a couple to get started:

Laurie Halse Anderson
Nancy Carlson