The Morning RSS, Monday 18 March 2024
A collection of share-worthy items from our morning blog scroll.
Itâs starting to feel like Monday is our âď¸ day for posting the RSS roundup. From writing nonfiction to Audiobooks, we discovered lots of good stuff to kick off our week.
For Writers & Creators
Writing Nonfiction? Whomever your audience is, there is a lot to explore - and take away from - Deborah Hopkinsonâs latest post over at Teen Librarian Toolbox. Mind the Middle Project: Long Form Nonfiction, Authors Weigh In (part 2).
Looking for an âexcuseâ to read other writers and hone your own skills? The team at Black Cotton Reviews is looking to grow itâs team of reviewers.
Weâre looking for Black educators, libraries, scholars or students who have some experience writing reviews. This is a two-year commitment.
If you or someone you know is passionate about lifting up Black voices then this opportunity is for you.
New Books & Book Lists
Because who doesnât love a âridiculously goodâ book? 8 Ridiculously-Good Fantasy Books Like Baldurâs Gate by Elisa Shoenberger at
⌠or Unicorns? The intrepid Travis Jonker has just published his 2024 Unicorn Report.
Eight must be the magic number right now, because Danika Ellis has 8 Fabulous New LGBTQ Middle Grade Books for READERS OF ALL AGES, also at Book Riot.
The readers of all ages emphasis is ours. If you thing MGLit is for tweens, then you are missing out on a huge swath of truly amazing books.
So far, Travis has identified 30 (!) new-in-2024 books by previous Geisel Award winners. Did he miss any? [via 100 Scope Notes, a School Library Journal blog]
Can we get a âyeehaw?â Thank you for that, Fuse #8! What is Betsy so excited about? Spring and her Spring Prediction Edition for the 2025 Newbery/Caldecott Awards.
Who doesnât love blueberries? Well, the Evanston (IL) Public Library created a Blueberry Award to recognize childrenâs books that âstrengthen kidsâ connections with nature and fosters action for the planet.â Learn about the award and the 2023 winners at A Fuse #8 Production (aka Betsy Birdâs blog)
Book Bans & Censorship
For 2024, weâre going to flip the perspective on book bans and censorship. Instead of sharing the head-shaking news, weâre going to share head-nodding ideas!
Big âđźâđźâđź for the NYPLâs Teen Banned Book Club. This month selection is The Downstairs Girl, and anyone 13 and older can read the book for free via SimplyE, the NYPLâs e-Reader App. Thereâs also a virtual event with the author, Stacy Lee.
Thursday, April 25 | 3 PM ET | Online: Banned Book Club Event with Stacey Lee: âThe Downstairs Girlââ
Go into the archives and view previous BBC events with Jason Reynolds and Mark Oshiro here.
Some stalls, some progress, some hope. Kelly has a roundup of anti-book ban legislation.
Other Bookish Stuff
Can we talk audiobooks? Thank you. First we saw this discussion at Goodreads, then this crossed our radar. Audiobooks ARE reading.
Do they tell a story? Check.
Do reader (sometimes) visualize what is being said? Double Check.
Does it involve practicing reading comprehension (remembering prior events details)? Uh huh.
Does listening develop vocabulary skills and demonstrates word usage? You betcha.
Itâs official. Audiobook reading is REAL reading. Just donât tell the kids. Turn on one of these Un-Put-Downable Audiobooks for Teens to Listen To Now, sit back, and watch reading in action.
Lots to ponder and explore. Got a favorite among todayâs collection? Weâd love to know. Any and all feedback is truly welcome. ~ Team CYBILS