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BookUpdate Newsletter
December 2005/ January 2006
 

 
Scholastic Executive Editor Dianne Hess
Scholastic Executive Editor Dianne Hess

From the Editor's Desk
Scholastic Executive Editor Dianne Hess explains how lightning struck twice when she took a chance on publishing Wague Diakite, and then his truly gifted

twelve-year old daughter. Read more .

Hello, and welcome to Scholastic’s Trade Book Group monthly newsletter!

Stay up to date on the latest children’s and young adult titles, reviews, awards, and appearances by our authors and illustrators.

 

 

 

In This Month's BookUpdate

Picture Books
Middle Grade/ Young Adult
Series


Paperbacks
Authors and Illustrators
Ordering Information


   
Picture Books
 
Dear Bunny

Dear Bunny
By Michaela Morgan; Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
0-439-74833-X; $15.99; The Chicken House; Ages 3–5

The cutest couple of star-crossed rabbits craft the ultimate love letter with a little help from a family of mice in this charming picture book, perfect for Valentine's Day, Easter, and all year long!

Also available by illustrator Caroline Jayne Church:
Cluck, Cluck, Who's There?, 0-439-57737-3; $9.95

 
Read and Rise

Read and Rise
By Sandra L. Pinkney; Photographs by Myles C. Pinkney
0-439-30929-8; $15.99; Cartwheel Books; Ages 4–8

Reading inspires children to dream. And through poetic words and vivid photographs, Read and Rise relays the message that children can become almost anything they can dream of!

A Real Read selection

Also available by Sandra L. Pinkney and Miles C. Pinkney:
A Rainbow All Around Me — Hardcover 0-439-30928-X, $15.95
Paperback, $5.95
 
Shades of Black

Shades of Black
By Sandra L. Pinkney; Photographs by Myles C. Pinkney
0-439-80251-2; $6.99; Cartwheel Books; Ages 0–3

The bestselling, remarkable picture book of affirmation for African American children is now available as a board book.

Shades of Black — Hardcover; 0-439-14892-8; $15.95
Paperback, $4.95
 
I Lost My Tooth in Africa

I Lost My Tooth in Africa
By Penda Diakite; Illustrated by Baba Wague Diakite
0-439-66226-5; $16.99; Scholastic Press; Ages 4–8

Twelve-year-old Penda Diakite was inspired to write this story about her little sister when they returned from visiting their family in Mali.

A Real Read selection

Also available by Wague Diakite:
The Magic Gourd — Hardcover 0-439-43960-4; $16.95
Paperback, $6.95
The Hatseller and the MonkeysHardcover 0-590-96069-5; $15.95
The Hunterman and the Crocodile
— Hardcover 0-590-89828-0; $16.95
Paperback, $4.95

 
The Biggest Valentine Ever

The Biggest Valentine Ever
By Steven Kroll; Illustrated by Jeni Bassett
0-439-76419-X; $3.99; Cartwheel Books; Ages 3–5

Desmond and Clayton are back in this companion to bestselling book The Biggest Pumpkin Ever.

Also available by Steven Kroll:
The Biggest Snowman Ever 0-439-62768-0; $3.99
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever 0-590-46463-9; $3.50
 
Middle Grade / Young Adult
 
Our House

Our House
By Pam Conrad; Illustrated by Brian Selznick
0-439-74508-X; $16.99; Scholastic Press; Ages 9–12

Pam Conrad’s treasure of a book, containing six short stories set in different decades in Levittown, N.Y., is lavishly reillustrated by Brian Selznick for a new generation of readers.

Our House received three starred reviews and was named a New York Public Library top 100 book when first published in 1995.

“Conrad’s fresh, imaginative approach to the concept of “home” makes this an ideal starting point for discussion, creative writing, and other class activities” – Booklist

“the selections have universal appeal, and as social history they can provide a jumping-off place for much discussion” – School Library Journal

“[Conrad’s] abilities to fuse fact with fiction and connect the past with the present are nothing less than remarkable” – Publishers Weekly


 
 
Ulysses Moore # 1: The Door to Time

Ulysses Moore # 1: The Door to Time
0-439-77438-1; $12.99; Scholastic Inc.; Ages 9–12

This is the first book in an action-packed series full of puzzles and codes for readers to figure out along with the book's heroes.

 
Series
 
Taylor-Made Tales #1: The Dog's Secret

Taylor-Made Tales #1: The Dog’s Secret
By Ellen Miles
0-439-59708-0; $4.99; Scholastic Paperbacks; Ages 7–10

A new early-chapter-book series introducing Mr. Taylor, the teacher with the gift of taking random items and developing an intriguing plot around them. A boat, a playing card and a necklace is all that is needed for Mr. Taylor to capture his (and your) students’ imaginations and prove the power of a story.


 
 
Boyds Will Be Boyds

Boyds Will Be Boyds
0-439-57469-2; $4.99; Scholastic Paperbacks; Ages 9–12

A rollicking series about two best friends and their misadventures from the author of SO B. IT. Boyds is full of wacky fun humor and wonderful friendships that will appeal to boys and girls.

 
Paperbacks
 
White Star: A Dog on the Titanic

White Star: A Dog on the Titanic
By Marty Crisp
0-439-71265-3; $4.99; Scholastic Paperbacks; Ages 9–12

A simply-told, poignant tale of friendship and survival, set on history’s most famous doomed ship! The compelling plot, along with in-depth background on the ship, make this a fun and informative read.


 
 
Book of the Stars Trilogy Part One: Quadehar the Sorcerer

Book of the Stars Trilogy Part One: Quadehar the Sorcerer
By Erik L’Homme
0-439-53648-0; $5.99; Scholastic Paperbacks; Ages 9–12

The first book in an action-packed fantasy trilogy from a talented French author — now in paperback.

“The complicated magic of the Graphems is fascinating…. This story will appeal to younger fans of fantasy who will enjoy the exciting action and the creativity of the world that L'Homme builds…” – Voice of Youth Advocates

Also available by Erik L’Homme:
Book of the Stars Trilogy Part One: Quadehar and the Sorcerer  Hardcover; 0-439-53643-X; $16.99

And coming soon in paperback:
Book of the Stars Trilogy Part Two: Lord Sha
0-439-65073-9; $5.99 (February 2006)
Book of the Stars Trilogy Part Three: The Face in the Shadow
0-439-65666-4; $5.99 (March 2006)

 
Authors and Illustrators
 
December 2005 – January 2006

New and Note Worthy from Book Group Marketing, Author Visit Department

Keeping you informed about major highlights of the author visit program in the school and library markets.

PAM MUÑOZ RYAN, Keynote presentation, Parent Learning Network conference, Texas Association of School Boards, Austin, Texas
Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Audience: 400 parents and parent educators
Pam Muñoz Ryan will also be autographing copies of her latest title, Nacho and Lolita, along with her other best-sellers, including Becoming Naomi Leon and Esperanza Rising

Featured presentations, Children’s Literature Lecture Series, University of California, Davis, California
Tuesday, January 31- Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Audience: 800 middle grade students, teachers and administrators

Pam Muñoz Ryan will be giving both an evening presentation and an afternoon matinee.  Book signing will follow both, so attendees have ample opportunity to get signed copies of all Pam’s critically acclaimed titles.

ROSEMARY WELLS, Keynote presentation, California Kindergarten Conference, Santa Clara, California
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Audience: 1500-1800 kindergarten teachers

Rosemary Wellswill be previewing her groundbreaking new title, My Shining Star: Raising a Child Who is Ready to Learn and signingcopies of her other titles, including the bestselling Read to Your Bunny.

These authors and illustrators will be making school and library appearances in the months of December and January:

Marie Bradby White Sulphur Springs, WV December 9, 2005
Dan Greenburg Wilton, CT December 6, 2005
Gordon Korman Lansing, NY December 1–2, 2005
  Toronto, Ontario December 16, 2005
Greg Tang The Woodlands, TX January 9–13, 2006

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Stephanie Nooney, Marketing Manager for Author Appearances, in the New York office at extension 3772.

Keeping you informed about major highlights of the author visit program in the school and library markets.

 
Ordering Information

We hope that you have enjoyed reading our monthly newsletter. We welcome your comments and suggestions. We would appreciate hearing what you think! Please email us at BookUpdate@Scholastic.com

How to Order
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School orders, shop online at The Teacher Store.

Don't forget to look for the February BookUpdate. Until then, Happy Reading!