Psssst A sneak peak at what is new

Psssst… A sneak peak at what is new in the world of Children’s Literature By Dustin R. Brackbill

First Read: Pssst… by Adam Rex. Harcourt, 2007. s Here are some trends, topics, and titles that I have observed, using my experience as a librarian, teacher, and former bookseller. s Please add to these ideas, take notes and enjoy!

Best Sellers - Jan. ‘ 08 (from B&N in State College - excluding holiday titles) Juvenile Books: l His Dark Materials Trilogy - Philip Pullman l Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan l Gallop! - Rufus Butler Seder l Harry Potter series - J. K. Rowling l A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L’Engle l Warriors series - Erin Hunter Teen Books: l Twilight - Stephanie Meyer l Shug - Jenny Han l Sweet Far Thing - Libba Bray

Best Sellers - April ‘ 08 (from B&N in State College) Juvenile Books: Septimus Heap series - Angie Sage Nim’s Island - Wendy Orr Diary of a Wimpy Kid series - Jeff Kinney Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen - Lauren Myracle Percy Jackson & the Olympians series - Rick Riordan • Pigeon books - Mo Willems • • • Teen Books: • • • Eclipse & others - Stephanie Meyer Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr It Girl series - Cecily von Ziegesar

Hot Authors Mo Willems Great characters, humor, & beginning readers Kate Di. Camillo Mice to pigs to a toy rabbit- nice genre blends Steve Jenkins Visual and engaging non-fiction Christopher Paul Curtis Winner of almost every award - realistic & historic Others: Cornelia Funke, Rick Riordan, Erin Hunter

Hot Trends No secret surprises here! Arctic subjects Animals, exploration, climate change Election stuff - more coming soon! Larue for Mayor, Grace for President, etc. Baseball books We Are the Ship, Barnstormers series, Keeping Score Wordless Books Flotsam, Robot Dreams, The Boy, the Bear… Also: movie tie-ins, gadget books, new travel options

Hot Topics Fantasy Set Puff the Magic Dragon Yarrow & Lipton. Sterling Press, 2007. The Wizard Prelutsky, Jack. Greenwillow Books, 2007. The Lightning Thief (& series) Riordan, Rick. Hyperion, 2005. Fairy Tale Retakes Wolf’s Coming (& others) Kulka, Joe. Carol. Rhoda Books, 2007. The Cheese Palatini, Margie. Harper. Collins, 2007.

Hot Topics, cont. Books for Adventurous Girls The Daring Book for Girls Buchanan & Peskowitz. Harper. Collins, 2007. The Princess Academy Hale, Shannon. New American Girls: Julie & Mia Bloomsbury, 2005. Books for Adventurous Boys The Dangerous Book for Boys Iggulden. Harpercollins, 2007. Smash! Crash! Scieszka, Jon. Simon & Shuster, 2008. The Incredible Book Eating Boy Jeffers, Oliver. Philomel Books, 2006.

Hot Topics, cont. Imagination set Imagine a Day/ Night Thomson, Sarah. Atheneum Books, 2005. Not a Box/ Stick Portis, Antoinette. Harper. Collins, 2008. Manners Do Unto Otters Keller, Laurie. Holt, 2007. Mind Your Manners, B. B. Wolf Sierra, Judy. - Knopf, 2007. Picture Book Biographies Muhammed Ali Winter, Jonah Schwartz & Wade, 2008. Moses Weatherford, C. B. Hyperion Books for Children, 2006.

Other not-so-secrets: • Graphic novels still growing • Middle school hot authors: • Lubar, Horowitz, Hunter (Warrior Series) Lupica (great sports stories), Haddix • More adult authors writing for youth. • Patterson, Hiassen, Feinstein • Less celebrity authors : *)

News and events to mention: • 2008 Caldecott: Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick • 2008 Newbery: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz • 2008 C. S. King: Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis • Jon Scieska appointed First National Ambassador for Children’s Literature by Lo. C & CBC

Pssst… check these out: Events to Share: • FREE Comic Book Day - May 3! • PA One Book, Every Young Child • Up, Down and Around - Katherine Ayers • More? ? Pssst… take your notes on the back, or see other handouts! THANKS!