Welcome!

Dear Book Lovers, Welcome! I am delighted that you have found The Through the Looking Glass blog. For over twenty years I reviewed children's literature titles for my online journal, which came out six times a year. Every book review written for that publication can be found on the Through the Looking Glass website (the link is below). I am now moving in a different direction, though the columns that I write are still book-centric. Instead of writing reviews, I'm offering you columns on topics that have been inspired by wonderful books that I have read. I tell you about the books in question, and describe how they have have impacted me. This may sound peculiar to some of you, but the books that I tend to choose are ones that resonate with me on some level. Therefore, when I read the last page and close the covers, I am not quite the same person that I was when first I started reading the book. The shift in my perspective might be miniscule, but it is still there. The books I am looking are both about adult and children's titles. Some of the children's titles will appeal to adults, while others will not. Some of the adult titles will appeal to younger readers, particularly those who are eager to expand their horizons.
Showing posts with label Scholastic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scholastic. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life Campaign



Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life. is a global literacy campaign launched as part of Scholastic's 90th anniversary celebration that underscores the importance of reading to better prepare children who will need strong literacy skills to survive and succeed in the 21st century. Scholastic is asking EVERYONE, our partners, publishers, educators, business leaders, nonprofits, parents, caregivers and students -- to work together to bring reading and deeper understanding to all children around the globe. The Reading Bill of Rights, the foundation of the campaign, includes eight "beliefs" that affirm every child's right to read and what that means in the 21st century... from access to books and great stories to the ability to analyze, interpret and understand information in the digital age.


Here is what we believe about reading in the second decade of the 21st century. 
We call this The Reading Bill of Rights:

WE BELIEVE that literacy – the ability to read, write and understand – is the birthright of every child in the world as well as the pathway to succeed in school and to realize a complete life. Young people need to read nonfiction for information to understand their world, and literature for imagination to understand themselves.
WE BELIEVE that the massive amounts of digital information and images now transmitted daily make it even more important for a young person to know how to analyze, interpret and understand information, to separate fact from opinion, and to have deep respect for logical thinking.
WE BELIEVE that literature and drama, whether on printed pages, screens, on stage or film, help young people experience the great stories of emotion and action, leading to a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly human. Without this literacy heritage, life lacks meaning, coherence and soul.
WE BELIEVE every child has a right to a “textual lineage” – a reading and writing autobiography which shows that who you are is in part developed through the stories and information you’ve experienced. This textual lineage will enable all young people to have a reading and writing identity which helps them understand who they are and how they can make their lives better. In short, “You Are What You Read.”
WE BELIEVE every child should have access to books, magazines, newspapers, computers, e-readers, and text on phones. Whatever way you read, you will need to figure out what the facts are or what the story tells you. No matter how and where you get access to ideas, you will need the skills of reading to understand yourself and your world.
WE BELIEVE that reading widely and reading fluently will give children the reading stamina to deal with more challenging texts they will meet in college, at work and in everyday life. And every child should be able to choose and own the books they want to read, for that choice builds literacy confidence – the ability to read, write and speak about what they know, what they feel, and who they are.
WE BELIEVE that every child has the right to a great teacher who will help them learn to read and love to read. Children need teachers who provide intentional, focused instruction to give young people the skills to read and interpret information or understand great stories they will encounter throughout life.
WE BELIEVE that in the 21st century, the ability to read is necessary not only to succeed but to survive—for the ability to understand information and the power of stories is the key to a life of purpose and meaning.



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The Dear America Books - The series is re-launched by Scholastic


When I first started reviewing books I discovered a series of books that really interested me. They were the Dear America historical fiction books. In this series authors use a diary style format to tell the story of a young person who lived in the past. There is a book about a girl who was on the Titanic, a dust bowl diary, a suffragette diary, a WWII diary, a California gold rush diary, an many more. Now the publishers of this series, Scholastic, are re-launching the series. Here is the information Scholastic sent me about this re-launch.


SCHOLASTIC RE-LAUNCHES ACCLAIMED
DEAR AMERICA® HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK SERIES THIS FALL
WITH NEW PUBLISHING AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

NEW YORK — September 8, 2010 — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that it will re-launch the acclaimed and bestselling Dear America® historical fiction series this fall with a combination of all-new publishing and re-issues of classic Dear America titles—plus an exciting new interactive website with historical content provided by the Library of Congress.

Originally launched in 1996, the original Dear America series for readers ages 8 – 14 has more than 14 million copies in print. Written by an array of award-winning and bestselling writers, the Dear America books are presented in diary format from the perspective of girls living at different times in American history. Publication of the series ended in 2004, and fans, booksellers, educators, and parents have requested that the series be brought back into print. The series will re-launch in September 2010 with The Fences Between Us, an all-new story set in the Pacific Northwest during WWII by Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson. Also to be reissued this fall are two classic Dear America titles: A Journey to the New World by bestselling author Kathryn Lasky and The Winter of Red Snow by bestselling author Kristiana Gregory. Both new and re-issued favorites will be published seasonally.

In cooperation with the Library of Congress, Scholastic will further expand the series with two new dedicated Dear America websites; one for fans, one for educators, both launching in September 2010. The Dear America website (www.scholastic.com/dearamerica) for fans will be a fully interactive online community. The site will feature interactive scrapbooks for each Dear America character with online fashion galleries, crafts, recipes, as well as fun downloads. In addition to other games, quizzes, book excerpts, and author interviews, there will also be a moderated “living diary” blog and message board for fans.

      Simultaneously, Scholastic and the Library of Congress will offer teachers and librarians a wealth of lesson plans, historical documents and archival photos, and other teaching resources at the educator site (www.scholastic.com/teachdearamerica). The site also features timelines, author videos, discussion guides, and more, bringing the history in each book to life.  

      “Since its launch in 1996, the Dear America series has been embraced by readers and educators for its combination of rich storytelling and historical accuracy,” said Ellie Berger, President of the Trade Publishing division of Scholastic. “We are pleased to reintroduce this beloved book series by award-winning authors with the added dimension of a rich online experience through our relationship with the Library of Congress.”

“The Library of Congress is excited about this opportunity to collaborate with Scholastic on the re-release of the classic Dear America series,” said Laura Campbell, Associate Librarian for Strategic Initiatives.  “Combining these compelling stories with the Library’s unparalleled primary source collections will help make history more accessible and engaging for teachers and students alike.”


About The Library of Congress
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.


September 2010

DEAR AMERICA: The Fences Between Us (NEW)
By Kirby Larson
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-22418-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-24954-6 (Audio)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26232-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Journey to the New World
By Kathryn Lasky
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-23801-4 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26233-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: The Winter of Red Snow
By Kristiana Gregory
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-23802-1 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26234-7 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

November 2010

DEAR AMERICA: Voyage on the Great Titanic
By Ellen Emerson White
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-23834-2 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26235-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

January 2011

DEAR AMERICA: Like the Willow Tree (NEW)
By Lois Lowry
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-14469-8 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-27371-8 (Audio)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26556-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Picture of Freedom
By Patricia C. McKissack
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-24253-0 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26555-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

March 2011

DEAR AMERICA: A Light in the Storm
By Karen Hesse
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-24245-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26554-6 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

April 2011

DEAR AMERICA: When Will This Cruel War Be Over?
By Barry Denenberg
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-27598-9 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-545-27944-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Children work to save the gorillas. A live webcast on Friday September 26th

THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE COMMITMENT BRINGS TOGETHER TURTLE POND PUBLICATIONS, SCHOLASTIC, WILDLIFE DIRECT AND THE DESMOND TUTU PEACE FOUNDATION TO LAUNCH AN INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN TO HELP SAVE THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AND ADDRESS INTER-RELATED HUMANITARIAN ISSUES

THE NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK “LOOKING FOR MIZA,” THE NATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND THE KIDS GORILLA SUMMIT WILL RAISE AWARENESS, AND EMPOWER CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN SOLVING GLOBAL ISSUES

Turtle Pond Publications and Scholastic, in association with Dr. Richard Leakey’s Wildlife Direct and the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation through the catalyst of the Clinton Global Initiative, today set in motion a breakthrough campaign to help protect Africa’s endangered mountain gorillas. The campaign includes the first ever Kids Gorilla Summit, an unprecedented gathering of elementary and middle grade students, who will meet to discuss the plight of Africa’s critically endangered mountain gorillas and the release of the children’s book, Looking for Miza: The True Story of the Mountain Gorilla Family Who Rescued One of Their Own (Scholastic Press) by #1 New York Times best-selling team Craig, Isabella and Juliana Hatkoff, Dr. Paula Kahumbu and photographer Peter Greste as well as utilize a myriad of educational, web-based technological tools that will allow kids to actively participate in the mountain gorilla crisis and offer their ideas and solutions. The initiative will underscore the connection between the urgency of the wildlife preservation efforts and the humanitarian issues that are inextricably inter-related.

This integrated campaign was born out of a commitment to action made at the 2007 Clinton Global Initiative shortly after last summer’s tragic massacre of ten of the world’s remaining 720 mountain gorillas, of which, 380 live in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park. As part of the CGI commitment, Craig Hatkoff and daughter Juliana traveled to Rwanda with a delegation to learn first-hand more about the challenges and dynamics.

The purpose of the Kids Gorilla Summit is to enlist students to become “global citizens” and make a commitment to the gorillas and the people of Africa. At the end of the Summit, all the participants are asked to sign the Kids Global Act Pact, which will reflect their commitment to taking action to make a difference. The students will share learning with their peers and continue to get involved by emailing ideas online to a designated website. The campaign also includes utilization of technology and the creation of a multi-platform, standards-based educational program that will help teach children, as well as their teachers and parents, about the critically endangered gorillas. A specially-developed curriculum and online portal, produced by Scholastic, will be distributed to approximately one million students to teach them about the gorillas, their habitat and the Mountain Rangers, and will empower them to become advocates for change.

THE SUMMIT
The Summit will be held in New York City on Friday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scholastic Auditorium. Approximately 180 students in grades five to seven will be in attendance for an age-appropriate discussion with panelists and special guests, including famed anthropologist, Dr. Richard Leakey, founder of WildLife Direct, conservationist and author, Dr. Paula Kahumbu, Trevor Neilson of the Global Philanthropy Group and best-selling children’s author, Craig Hatkoff. First, the children will be taught about the unique challenges the gorillas and the region face. The students will be shown short videos of the gorillas, as well as special animated “Gorillasodes” that were created by students from the U.S. and Rwanda to help spread the word about the gorillas’ plight. Then, the students will be introduced to people from the region, including four reporters who are members of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, reporting from Africa. After learning about the gorillas and the region, the students will be asked to break off into groups with an expert moderator, who will help them develop their ideas for change.

Students nationwide can participate via a live national webcast at www.scholastic.com/miza and will be able to email questions to participants so they join in the Summit.

In addition, www.scholastic.com/miza and www.miza.com, created jointly by Turtle Pond and Scholastic, will offer students up-to-date information on the gorillas brought from WildLife Direct’s field-based blogs written by the Mountain Rangers and other activities and resources. Students will be encouraged to share ideas about helping the gorillas.

LOOKING FOR MIZA
Available in bookstores nationwide, Looking for Miza: The True Story of the Mountain Gorilla Family Who Rescued One of Their Own tells the story of a baby female mountain gorilla, Miza, whose mother was one of the ten gorillas killed last summer. Miza was rescued by her father, following the tragedy and was reunited with the rest of her family. Miza almost died, but thanks to the efforts of the Congolese Mountain Rangers and Kabirizi’s family of 30 gorillas who cared for her, she has thrived. The book brings to light the gorillas’ struggle and underscores the sacrifice and heroism of the mountain rangers and their critical role in the survival of this endangered species.

The book was written by the authors of the #1 New York Times best-selling Owen & Mzee series, Craig Hatkoff and daughter Isabella (9), Dr. Paula Kahumbu and photographer/journalist Peter Greste. Hatkoff's older daughter Juliana (13) also collaborated on Looking for Miza. This is the fourth inspiring nonfiction picture book written by the Hatkoffs and published by Scholastic about remarkable animals overcoming adversity. Their popular series of issues-based children’s books, including Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship (2006), Owen and Mzee: The Language of Friendship (2007), and Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Changed the World (2007), introduces kids to real world issues and empowers them to effect change on our planet.

About The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)Established in 2005 as a project of the non-partisan William J. Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI members have made nearly 1,000 Commitments to Action valued at upwards of $30 billion to improve more than 200 million lives in over 150 countries around the world. Through past Annual Meetings, CGI has brought together more than 80 current and former heads of state, hundreds of top CEOs and non-profit leaders, major philanthropists, and 10 of the last 16 Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

About Turtle Pond Publications
Turtle Pond Publications is a private entertainment and media company based in New York. Its interests include a variety of children's publishing ventures and other media investments including the Tribeca Film Festival. Looking for Miza: The True Story of the Mountain Gorilla Family Who Rescued One of Their Own (Scholastic Press), is the next in the series of books from Turtle Pond which depicts real life stories of animals in unique situations overcoming adversity.

About Wildlife Direct
Wildlife Direct was started by Richard Leakey to create the world’s largest online conservation community and raise awareness and funds for conservation in some of the worlds most endangered and dangerous places. Operating deep in the jungles of eastern Congo, blogs written by rangers last year alerted the world to the crisis facing mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ranger Innocent and Ranger Diddy’s voices from the front lines of conservation on their Wildlife Direct blog provide a unique opportunity for anyone anywhere in the world to participate in the conservation of one of the world’s most charismatic and most endangered species: the mountain gorillas. Funds raised through the blogs have enabled the Congolese wildlife authority, The Congolese Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN) to continue wildlife conservation activities on the ground despite the ongoing crisis. Wildlife Direct will use Miza to raise awareness and support for mountain gorillas throughout their ranges in Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Looking for Miza’s co-author, Dr. Paula Kahumbu, is an ecologist and Head of Conservation, Policy and Partnerships at WildlifeDirect, where she is in charge of developing conservation partnerships and establishing new blogs.

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.

About Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation
The mission of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation is to support and promote the creation of a culture of peace throughout the world. In the spirit of founder, Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and in collaboration with the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre of South Africa, the foundation is dedicated to advancing reconciliation, peace-building, non-violence, conflict resolution, and ethical leadership so that all may live in a more peaceable and sustainable world.

About Global Philanthropy Group and Trevor Neilson
Global Philanthropy Group advises the world's leading philanthropists, working with high net worth individuals, charitable foundations and corporations to design and implement highly-leveraged philanthropic strategies. The group’s management expertise and proprietary network of global experts help clients achieve lasting, meaningful results. Global Philanthropy Group, lead by President Trevor Neilson, encompasses pressing global issues including economic development, education, poverty, HIV/AIDS, disaster recovery and redevelopment, refugees, microfinance, water, global health, immigration, orphans, foster care, global trade, malnutrition, climate change, green building, malaria, conservation, crimes against humanity, genocide and childhood obesity. Trevor Neilson has advised a number of the world's leading philanthropists, including Bono, Bill Gates, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Shakira, President Bill Clinton, and Sir Richard Branson, and has been involved in the creation and implementation of many of the world's most respected philanthropic initiatives.
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